Gangliosides in cerebrospinal fluid in children with autism spectrum disorders.

• Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycolipids found in all cells, especially abundant in nerve cells and mainly situated on outer-membrane surfaces. The aim of this study was to provide data on the concentration of gangliosides in the CSF of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) - 66 with autistic disorder, and 19 with other autism spectrum disorders. The comparison group consisted of 29 children and adolescents, whose CSF had been sampled to exclude acute infectious CNS disorder. The concentrations of the gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b were determined using a microimmunoaffinity technique. The ASD group had a significantly higher concentration of ganglioside GM1 compared with the comparison group. The GM1 increase could not be explained as secondary to other clinical factors. Mean ganglioside levels did not differentiate subgroups with autistic disorder and those with a more atypical clinical picture, nor subgroups with known medical disorders and those with idiopathic autism. Altered patterns of gangliosides in the CNS might reflect important correlates of pathogenesis in autism.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Autistic Disorder

Cerebrospinal fluid

Diagnosis

Genetics

Child

Child

Preschool

Diagnosis

Differential

Female

G(M1) Ganglioside

Cerebrospinal fluid

Gangliosides

Cerebrospinal fluid

Humans

Infant

Male

Neurologic Examination

Neuropsychological Tests

Reference Values

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)